Lavender Hill (9 page)

“Yes, apparently you seem particularly good at playing one of these Pointers, Agent Sutton.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Sir Jeffrey paused for a few moments. “Let’s discuss the outcome of these tests before I’m convinced this Pointer is worth pursuing.” He turned to a young woman sitting in front of a laptop. “Dr Koreshi, can you bring us up to speed, please.”

“Yes, Sir Jeffrey,” replied the doctor, a psychologist. “As with the data collected by 24/7 News, we didn’t find any trend with race, gender or background of any kind. The differences were quite subtle and really only emerged when we analysed their psychological profiles. The Pointers seemed to share at least two characteristics. The first is a preference for sensory stimuli that might be called natural and the second is a high score for openness.”

“Natural stimuli?” asked Sir Jeffrey.

“Yes, most of them prefer to follow the day-night cycle closely and feel agitated if they don’t. They like to feel the cold in the winter and heat in the summer. There’s a preference for natural food, and sights and sounds that you would find in nature, certain colours and combinations of colours, etc.”

“And the tendency to be open minded?”

“Yes, they score highly in a personality variable called ‘need for cognition’. This is the tendency to enjoy effortful thought, thinking and analyses, which can promote openness to new ideas, etc.”

“Are they religious?”

“No, none of them identified themselves as religious, which has also been observed in the other groups of Pointers held around the country.”

“Interesting, so how are you interpreting these findings?”

“Well, as you know the Rapture was experienced predominantly in rural or poorly industrialised regions around the world, so it may be the case people more closely connected with nature, or their local environment, were more susceptible to its effects. In contrast, the Pointers were more predominant in the industrial world and this may be because there’s the time and space to nurture the kind of thinking the Pointers score highly for.”

“So the Pointers are more connected to nature, and open to new experiences and sensations?” asked Sir Jeffrey.

“It would appear so, yes,” replied Dr Koreshi.

“Excellent, this actually feels like we are moving forward. But we are still no nearer to answering what the Rapture is?” Sir Jeffrey looked expectantly around the table.

The Tall Man responded. “If the Rapture originated in Devon, and this Pointer, Jack Clarke, is from Devon and hiding something from us, then we should bring him back into custody for questioning. He may know something important about the source of the Rapture.”

Sir Jeffrey nodded. “Agreed – we must be able to identify his location in Devon using utility companies, etc.”

“Yes, we’ve already contacted the appropriate companies to request access, sir.”

“Excellent, when do you expect to have this information?”

“Sometime this evening, sir.”

“OK, well our mysterious friend, Mr Clarke, is not our only concern at the moment, so I suggest you gather a team to travel to Devon tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.”

Sir Jeffrey flicked through a folder containing information about Jack before holding up a picture of him. “I think I might have a chat with this Mr Clarke myself when he returns to enjoy our hospitality.”

*****

11:09pm

Jack entered his Devon home and walked, in the dark, to the living room. He dropped heavily onto the sofa, leant his head back and closed his eyes. He felt exhausted and just sat quietly.

After a while, Jack opened his eyes again and looked around. He had left the lights off to hide his presence, so the house felt cold, dark and empty. Ambient light from outside allowed him to see around the house, so he stood up and walked upstairs. He was about to enter his bedroom but then noticed the door to Dylan’s room was ajar. He thought about his children and felt overcome by a terrible sense of loss that he couldn’t see and hold them. These thoughts made Jack walk over to Dylan’s room and go inside.

In the dim light, Jack looked around the room. The toys had been left over the floor and he leant down to pick them up. As he put them in their box, he stopped to look at Dylan’s favourite toy, a T-rex dinosaur. He knew Dylan would be sad at not taking it with him, so he placed it on the table next to the bed so it would be easier to find.

Jack walked out of Dylan’s room and entered his own bedroom. He sat on the bed in the dark until the sound of an animal outside caught his attention. He walked over to the window. He could just about see the outline of the fields in the distance. The fields the light from the Rapture had passed over so many days before. As he looked outside, the feeling of the Rapture grew inside him, and as it became more intense, he began to sense someone’s presence.

Jack suddenly turned around. His breathing quickened, and he thought:
someone’s in the house.

He quickly but quietly walked outside to the landing and leant over to look down the stairs. He listened with intense concentration so he could hear any noise, but there wasn’t any sound. He stood away from the stairs and concentrated on the sensation that someone was present, and again he felt like someone was near. But as he concentrated further, he realised this person wasn’t physically present.

“WHO ARE YOU?” Jack shouted into the air in frustration and anger, but he was only answered by empty silence. He walked back into his bedroom and sat down on the bed.

He sat in silence and in the dark. The feeling of someone watching him gradually faded, but rather than relief Jack felt something strange. He felt more alone.

*****

9:28am

The Tall Man looked out the window of the car as Agent Sutton drove him and another agent towards Jack’s house. He watched the ancient hills of the Devon countryside pass by and noticed smoke coming from the chimneys of small cottages nestled in the pretty villages scattered across the hills. Eventually, they turned off the motorway and began to drive around smaller, local roads towards Jack’s house.

“Our estimated time of arrival is twenty minutes, sir,” said Agent Sutton.

The Tall Man turned to the agent sitting next to him. “Weapons check,” he said.

They both took out handguns and performed some routine checks before securing the guns back under their jackets. The Tall Man then addressed his colleagues:

“Mr Clarke appears to be harmless, but we should be appropriately cautious, gentleman.”

*****

9:40am

Katie walked into the post office of the little village just down the road from Gabriel Ash’s house. The owner smiled broadly at her.

“Good morning, how can I help you?”

“Hi, I’m looking for Lavender Hill. Do you know where it is?”

“Yes, if you drive out of the village and continue towards Buckfastleigh you’ll eventually come to a small road on your left that will have a sign for Oldway House, which is at the bottom of Lavender Hill.”

Katie felt like she should buy something in return for the shop owner’s help, so she grabbed a chocolate bar. “Thanks, I’ll just have this as well, please.” She then left the post office, got into her car and drove off in the direction of Oldway House.

After a short while, she reached the isolated house of Gabriel Ash. She parked her car, got out and looked towards the few hills scattered around the landscape. It seemed obvious which one should be Lavender Hill, but to be sure she decided to knock on the door of Oldway House to ask for help.

Katie stood at the door of the house and waited after ringing the doorbell. The door had frosted glass on the top half and she could vaguely make out the contours of the hallway and furniture inside. After a while, she saw movement at the end of the corridor that appeared from the outline to be a person walking towards the door. As this person approached, Katie realised it was a man by the size and shape. The figure reached towards the door, which began to open.

*****

9:55am

Jack sat at his computer in the living room while listening to music, eating his breakfast, and searching the web for information about Gabriel Ash and the Rapture. He watched a video of Jeremy Banks being thrown into the River Thames and was shocked at first but then laughed when he saw Jeremy was OK.

Jack’s thoughts turned to Sarah and the kids. He opened up the photos folder on his computer and browsed through them. He stopped at the folder for an Egyptian resort on the Red Sea. He remembered snorkelling with the kids and how excited they were to see the beautiful, multi-coloured fish. Jack was completely lost in his thoughts and memories when suddenly the doorbell rang. He got up and walked out of the living room.

Jack casually opened the front door. Standing in front of him was Gabriel Ash.

*****

10:03am

The Tall Man knocked on the door of the house. After a short while, an old man opened the door. He was stooped over with hooded eyes and an angry look.

“Yes, how can I help you,” he snapped.

“We’re looking for a Jack Clarke,” said the Tall Man.

“Yes, that’s me. What do you want?”

The Tall Man looked at his colleagues before turning back.

“You’re Jack Clarke?”

“Just said so, didn’t I? You’re not too bright, eh son?”

“We’re sorry to disturb you,” said the Tall Man, and abruptly turned around to leave. After walking away from the house, he turned to the others. “What the hell’s going on?” He pointed at Agent Sutton. “He told you he lived in Plymouth?”

“Yes...”

“OK, I’ll contact HQ and find out if they have any more information about Mr Clarke.” The Tall Man walked back to the car.

Agent Sutton watched as the other agent followed the Tall Man. He stood quietly enjoying the bright sun on his back until he noticed a lavender plant in a garden nearby. He strolled over to the plant and pinched some of the leaves from it. He held the lavender leaves to his nose and breathed in deeply. Agent Sutton closed his eyes and a calm, peaceful smile passed over his face. Eventually, he opened his eyes again and turned in the direction of the Rapture.

“What are you doing?” barked the Tall Man.

Agent Sutton quickly walked back to the car. “Did you find out anything?” he asked anxiously as he got into the driver’s seat.

“He must have been lying again. The team are trying to identify all the Jack Clarkes in Devon. We’ll have to stop somewhere and wait until there’s an update.”

“I’ll drive into the centre of the town,” said Agent Sutton, and started the engine. As he drove off, he smiled to himself and raised his fingers to his nose to smell the lavender again.

*****

10:10am

Katie sat in the kitchen of Oldway House. In front of her was a cup of tea, a collection of biscuits, and an assortment of home-baked cakes placed on the kitchen table. A middle-aged couple sat opposite her with excited, expectant looks on their faces.

“You really told that Jeremy Banks what you thought of him,” said the woman, who was frumpy looking and plump.

“I read in the newspaper he has a terrible reputation,” said the man, who then looked at Katie with an expectant expression as if she might reveal some celebrity secrets.

“I shouldn’t really speak about him, sorry,” Katie replied shyly.

They sat quietly and awkwardly for a few moments before Katie said,

“So, your brother has gone on vacation?”

“Yes, we’ve just come over to collect his dog, Rene,” said the woman, and indicated to the dog resting on the floor. At the mention of his name, the dog raised his head and looked at them passively before lowering his head again and breathing out deeply.

“Rene?” Katie asked.

The woman gave a disapproving look. “Yes, as in Rene Descartes, the philosopher – don’t ask...”

They sat silently again until the man said, “Do you know anything about where this Rapture originated from?”

“No,” replied Katie quickly. “Sorry, we’ve reported everything we know.”

Again, they sat in awkward silence until Katie looked like she was ready to leave.

“Well, I should continue with my walk now. Thank you for letting me know where Lavender Hill is.” She stood up.

“It was lovely to meet you,” said the woman. “Enjoy your walk. It smells wonderful up there on a calm day like today.”

Katie walked to the front door and the man opened it for her. The couple stood outside and waved enthusiastically as Katie walked away from the house and towards Lavender Hill. Katie looked around one last time and laughed as she saw both of them chatting excitedly to each other as they went back into the house. She turned back, looked ahead and then towards the top of the hill. She picked up her pace and strode quickly and purposefully forward.

*****

10:20am

Jack woke up and looked quickly and in a panic around the room. His vision was blurred, but after a few moments he realised he was on the sofa in the living room. He sat up, held his head, and then remembered Gabriel Ash being at the front door. He thought to himself he must have fallen asleep on the sofa and laughed out loud.

“So you must be feeling OK now?” said a man’s voice.

Jack quickly turned his head to see Gabriel Ash sitting on a chair in the corner of the room.

He smiled at Jack. “I hope you’re not going to collapse again.”

Jack got up and walked backwards while staring and pointing.

“You’re... uh... you’re, Gabriel Ash?”

“Yes, I don’t know your name though?”

“Jack, my name is Jack.”

Jack held his head again as if disorientated.

“Maybe you should take a seat?” suggested Gabriel.

Jack grabbed a chair and placed it opposite Gabriel. He sat down and looked at him properly for a few moments. Gabriel was in his late thirties with dark hair and a masculine, but not aggressive, face. He had deep blue eyes that appeared mischievous. He was dressed like a university professor and was sitting with a relaxed, confident posture in the chair.

“Who are you?” asked Jack.

Gabriel laughed a little. “Well, I’m not an alien or the son of god, or anything like that, if that’s what you’re thinking. I trained as a physicist, but I would consider myself a thinker or philosopher, maybe.”

“How did you find me?”

Gabriel smiled mischievously. “I had an... experience, let’s call it, about a week ago, and during this event I felt connected with other people – especially one in particular, and I could see what this person was looking at.” Gabriel then gestured towards the end of the living room, to the window Jack had stood by during the Rapture. “I felt you lived somewhere near me, and I knew what direction that was, so I searched satellite images for houses that seemed to be in the correct place. This might seem all very magical, but in fact you’re the fifth house I’ve been to.”

Jack had been leaning forward, but he sat back in his chair. “The Rapture originated from you, didn’t it?”

“Yes, it did.”

“How, why, what was it?”

Gabriel looked at Jack with a slight smile on his face. “Do you know what a theory of everything is?”

Jack paused. “I’ve heard of it. Isn’t it a set of equations that describe the way nature, or the universe, works?”

“Yes, that’s how it’s usually described,” replied Gabriel with a hint of annoyance. “Well, if a theory claims it can explain everything then it really should explain everything –
everything
.” He emphasised the last word as if frustrated.

“Is the Rapture something to do with a theory of everything, then?”

“Yes, I’ve been developing a theory for most of my life, and on the day of the Rapture I realised something I’ve been struggling to understand for more years than I can remember. Something that is significantly more important than whether I might be an alien or god, or anything like that.”

Jack seemed incredulous. “What could be more important than those things?”

“To be amazed by me being an alien, or god, you have to be able to feel first, to experience, to be aware and have emotions. What I realised on the day of the Rapture was how people are able to feel.”

Jack looked stunned. “What did you realise?”

Gabriel looked away for a few moments as if thinking how to explain something complex. He turned back to Jack.

“The stuff that makes up your brain, where do you think it comes from?”

Jack looked a bit unsure how to react. “I don’t know – from the food we eat I suppose. It can’t just appear out of nowhere.”

“So all the atoms that were in the food found their way into your brain. A brain that can think and more importantly, feel.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

Gabriel looked around the room, and while indicating with his hand said,

“You could take some of the atoms from that table, or from that sofa, and replace them one by one with those in your brain and you would feel exactly the same. There are no such thing as atoms specific for the brain. They are the same as all the others, but when they are in your head you’re able to feel.”

“And you realised how that happens.”

Gabriel’s eyes crinkled at the edges. “Yes, and I know you have at least some idea as well.”

Jack paused. “It’s something to do with one of the senses.”

“Yes, but which one?”

“It feels ridiculous to say it. Something so small after everything that’s happened.”

“Just say it.”

Jack hesitated again. “It’s something to do with touch.”

Gabriel smiled, and then said intensely, “Yes. Touch. Or physical contact. It’s fascinating you felt it as strongly as me, fascinating.”

“But what does it mean?” asked Jack desperately.

“How do we feel, or sense, things?” began Gabriel. “We use our eyes to see, nose to smell, but these are very complex organs. The question is: what is the one thing that everything can feel? And on the day of the Rapture I realised that everything, no matter how simple or complex, can feel the sensation of physical contact. And in fact, because it is the only thing that atoms can feel, and our brains are made of atoms, it must be the source of our own feelings, emotions, etc.”

“So when we feel something we’re actually feeling the atoms of our brain touching each other?” asked Jack.

“Yes, sounds incredible, but it fits perfectly with the rest of my theory.”

“But why did so many other people experience what you felt?”